SUBACUTE LAMINITIS. 375 
as would be readily understood; therefore the hoof is represented from 
a sketch made upon the spot. 
The other terminations to acute laminitis are metastasis and mortifi- 
cation. 
Metastasis is when the fever leaves the feet to fix upon some other 
and remote part, as the lungs, bowels, brain, eyes, etc. Or, fever of the 
feet is frequently asserted to be caused by the inflammation “dropping” 
from those parts into the hoofs; when such changes ensue, the body 
being already weakened, the attack is seldom of a very acute type; but, 
nevertheless, it may be attended by disorganization, by distortion, or 
even by death. 
It is a bad symptom should no change be observed in the course of 
the disorder before the expiration of the fifth day; some sad ending may 
then be expected, but it does not invariably follow. The animal should 
be watched night and day; all that can possibly be done to alleviate 
its suffering should be put into practice. For that end, the writer has 
found nothing equal in its soothing effects to perfect quietude, and good 
gruel made with a portion of linseeds and of beans mixed with oatmeal. 
But be sure that laminitis has departed from the feet before the slings 
are removed; then, even supposing no metastasis to have occurred, do 
not suddenly take all support from the horse, but remove a weight every 
day, so that the restored parts may become gradually used to their orig- 
inal functions. On the first sign indicative of a return to the disorder, 
restore the full counterpoise and recommence treatment; for acute lami- 
nitis is somewhat treacherous. Very cautiously exercise the invalid 
upon a piece of meadow land; and, as the health appears restored, 
gradually return to the usual method of treatment. 
SUBACUTE LAMINITIS. 
This is a variety of the former disease; the characteristic differences 
between the two are thus stated by the esteemed late William Percival :— 
“In neither form is laminitis the disease of the unbroken or unused 
horse. Now and then acute laminitis will appear in the four or five year 
old horse when newly taken into work; more commonly it is witnessed 
incapacitating the horse when at work, and during the middle period of 
life. Subacute laminitis, on the other hand, is very apt to select the 
aged and worked animal. Secondly, acute laminitis is the immediate 
effect of labor, hard either from its distressful character or its endurance. 
Subacute laminitis, on the contrary, will make its appearance in the 
stable where the horse has been for some time living in a state of idle- 
ness or absolute rest. Thirdly, acute laminitis makes its attack directly 
